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Chargers sign Marcus Mason

Make that two recently-released Redskins who've found a new home. The San Diego Chargers signed running back Marcus Mason, who was among the 10 players released last Thursday by the Redskins.

"We've followed his progress through his young career, and when he came available, we decided to give him an opportunity to earn a spot with the Chargers," San Diego general manager A.J. Smith said in a released statement.

Mason had bounced for a couple of years but finally found a spot on the Redskins' 53-man roster and saw his first action last season. He appeared in 10 games for Washington, rushing for 127 yards on 32 carries last season.

Mason, a Georgetown Prep alum, originally signed with the Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He spent most of that season on the team's practice squad and was with the team through training camp in 2008. He was released before the start of the season and signed with the New York Jets but was back in camp with Washington in 2009.

The Steelers are interested in bringing back one of their former players -- inside linebacker Larry Foote -- to improve their depth and create some flexibility at the linebacker position, the Post-Gazette has learned.

However, the Steelers are waiting to see if Foote, who is an unrestricted free agent after playing one season with the Detroit Lions, is willing to return.

Foote, 29, is scheduled to meet today with the Washington Redskins, where former Steelers defensive assistant Lou Spanos is the new linebackers coach; and later this week with the Arizona Cardinals, where he would be reunited with former Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt.

Foote asked to be released by the Steelers after the 2008 Super Bowl season because he didn't want to be a backup to Lawrence Timmons.

But the Steelers are willing to take him back because he would give them some veteran depth on the roster in the event of injury, even at outside linebacker. If LaMarr Woodley or James Harrison were injured, Timmons would move to the outside and Foote could take his old spot alongside James Farrior in the middle.

Jim Wyatt, The Tennessean, 3/8/2010
With questions at linebacker, the Titans are scheduled to host free agent Will Witherspoon on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old Witherspoon was released by the Eagles on March 5. He’s an eight-year pro who spent his first four seasons with the Panthers (2002-05) before signing a six-year, $33 million deal with the Rams.

The Rams traded Witherspoon to the Eagles last season, when he had 56 tackles, one sack and one interception in 12 games. In his career he’s started 105 games with 741 tackles, 20 sacks and nine interceptions.

The Titans have some decisions to make at the position.

Free agent Keith Bulluck is recovering from ACL surgery. He's expected to work out for other teams when he’s healthy, which could be a few months from now. The Titans have told his agent they're still interested in re-signing the veteran.

David Thornton is recovering from offseason shoulder/pectoral surgery and is scheduled to make $4 million in base salary in 2010.

Rising second-year pro Gerald McRath is expected to be in the mix for a starting spot at outside linebacker.

Witherspoon was scheduled to earn $5 million in base pay in 2010, which led to his release from the Eagles.

The University of Georgia product has played both outside and inside linebacker. In his best game with the Eagles he had nine tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception he returned for a nine-yard touchdown against the Redskins

Colts center Jeff Saturday disagreed with President Bill Polian's suggestion that the team's offensive line struggled in the Super Bowl.

But Polian is the one that makes personnel decisions, and he spoke loud and clear by releasing starting guard Ryan Lilja Monday, according to Alex Marvez of Fox.

Lilja was due a $1.73 million bonus soon, but the move is still surprising. He started every game for the Colts last season and is only 28 years old.

Ultimately, the Colts need better run blockers and Polian decided Lilja was only going to get in the way with a hefty base salary. Polian trusts the team's ability to develop players and he's usually right.

That trust allows Polian to make strong statements in print and on the transaction wire.

If he's not asking too much, Lilja along with Hicks would be a nice upgrade to the OL. How many FA's total get signed this offseason? I know it's a rebuild and we need value but our roster is just woeful. Good coaching helps but we wanna win SOME games right?

Lilja would be a good pickup for us since we can't fix everything with one draft class. He would buy us time, and he is under 30.

This, btw, is why Allen takes the slow approach. More players will be released as things move along. And if you need to plug a veteran linemen into your squad, all you need to do is wait until a few get released after the draft when rookies are brought in to replace them.

diamond_jim
Albright's the man, and so's Smith but our OL unit? It's not just bad, it's a crying joke. I'd like them to get one more guy like Hicks that's clearly better than the depth we have now, and someone who can play ILB in a 3-4 too. They cut almost 20% of the 53-man roster, you know? Gotta sign some outside FA's

Colts center Jeff Saturday disagreed with President Bill Polian's suggestion that the team's offensive line struggled in the Super Bowl.

But Polian is the one that makes personnel decisions, and he spoke loud and clear by releasing starting guard Ryan Lilja Monday, according to Alex Marvez of Fox.

Lilja was due a $1.73 million bonus soon, but the move is still surprising. He started every game for the Colts last season and is only 28 years old.

Ultimately, the Colts need better run blockers and Polian decided Lilja was only going to get in the way with a hefty base salary. Polian trusts the team's ability to develop players and he's usually right.

That trust allows Polian to make strong statements in print and on the transaction wire.

OK, tired of speculating just what the hell the FO's gonna do so...who's the best 'Skins scrub of the last 25 years? I'm torn between Brian Davis and Shar Pourdanesh...or which was the more pathetic FS Stanley Richard or Leomont Evans?

Didnt he get picked by Shanny in the 1st round of 2006 at # 11 overall, and make the ProBowl in 2008?
Did Denver get the Skins 2006 1st round pick to get Jason Campbell in 2005?
Ironical..

Posted by: SkinsneedaGM

Coulda been number 11 overall. Made the ProBowl, but that doesn't mean much if your the 16th rated QB playing with very good receivers behind a top rate OL. Cutler was never that great.

I've never traced the Denver picks from the Campbell trade to see who they turned into.

I do know that I would never had made that trade, it was too much to give up.

If Gibbs had wanted a QB that much, Gibbs probably could have moved up a bit further with the same offer and grabbed Aaron Rodgers, who was being considered for #1 overall. Rodgers was picked in the spot before Campbell.

I hear ya, Happy Trucker, but I'd rather have Campbell than Cutler any day. Cutler is a deuchebag, and despite the hype he's not a better QB than Campbell. I realize I'm in the minority on this one, but that's where I stand...

Count me in the crowd who would take Campbell over Cutler. Jay C is one of the most overrated players in the NFL.

Can't believe there isn't more consternation here about Marcus Mason going to SD...I mean, the guy was a LEGEND here!

And no shock that ARE ended up back in Pittsburgh...wouldn't surprise me at all if he ends up having a big year for them playing out of the slot. If there's one thing that Pittsburgh does right, it's get the most out of the players on their roster.

WHO GIVES A FLYING FU*K WHO HE GOT SIGN TOO IF IT AINT WITH US WHO REALLY GIVES A RATS ASS YOU DUMB BIT*H

Posted by: bsilvanus | March 8, 2010 10:53 PM | Report abuse

I think these are my sentiments regarding MARCUS MASON. Are we to be treated to a seperate article on every former REDSKIN who inks a contract with someone else. Who cares. BTW what's in the article JASSON, I didn't read it?

Why do reporters try to become the story and don't just report the story. The team released some players from a 4 - 12 team and all reporting is negative. If they had kept the players, I'm sure the reporting would be just as negative. Randle El and Mason got picked up... That's good for them. The Redskins gave them the entire FA period to find a job.

Because someone else wanted them doesn't mean that the Redskins made a mistake...... Get real......